Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra Launched with Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, 5500 mAh Battery, LTPO OLED Display

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra has been introduced earlier than its usual mid-July schedule, with a launch in early February. This new model features the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, offering up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. The chipset promises significant improvements, including a 45% increase in CPU performance, a 40% faster GPU, and a similar boost in NPU capabilities.

One of the standout features of the Zenfone 12 Ultra is its advanced AI capabilities. It incorporates both on-device and Cloud AI functionalities. The device includes Meta's Llama 3 8B model for high-quality text summarisation directly on the phone. Additionally, the AI Call Translator 2.0 provides real-time voice translation for both native and third-party VoIP apps.

Battery Life and Audio Features

Powering the device is a dual-cell battery with a capacity of 5,500mAh. It supports fast charging options: up to 65W wired charging that fully charges in just under 40 minutes, and up to 15W wireless charging via Qi 1.3 standard. Once charged, it can last up to approximately 26 hours.

The Zenfone remains one of the few phones retaining a traditional headphone jack, featuring Dirac Virtuo technology for enhanced audio quality on both wired and wireless headphones. Alternatively, users can enjoy sound through its multi-magnet stereo speakers.

Camera Innovations and Display Features

The main camera has been upgraded to a Sony Lytia-700 sensor, replacing the previous IMX890. A notable enhancement is the fourth-generation 6-axis hybrid gimbal stabiliser, which offers a ±5° movement correction-66% better than its predecessor. The telephoto camera boasts optical stabilisation and supports 3x optical zoom along with 10-30x HyperClarity zoom.

The Zenfone 12 Ultra's display remains impressive with a 6.78" OLED screen from Samsung (E6). This LTPO panel supports refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz, with an option for 144Hz in compatible games. It reaches up to 2,500 nits brightness and is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Sustainability and Connectivity

Asus has taken steps towards sustainability by using recycled materials in the phone's construction-100% recycled aluminium for the frame and 22% recycled glass for the screen. The phone comes in three colours: Sage Green, Ebony Black, and Sakura White, maintaining an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Connectivity-wise, this dual-SIM phone supports two nano-SIMs alongside an eSIM option for easier international travel arrangements. It's equipped with dual-SIM support for seamless connectivity on-the-go.

Availability and Pricing

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is now available in Europe, Taiwan, and Hong Kong but not yet in the UK market. In mainland Europe, it retails at €1,100 (roughly Rs 1,00,050); however, early buyers can purchase it at €1,000 (roughly Rs 90,950) until February end. Plans are underway to introduce this model in Japan soon.